ROPS RECALL BY JD

[stuart]

I just received notice from John Deere that the ROPS on the 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600 and 4700 are being recalled for replacement "ONLY" if you have a canopy or sunshade assembly attached to it because it may fail on rollover. Apparently the extra weight may cause unseen fractures in the metal.
The letter goes on to say that if you do not have an overhead canopy or sunshade there is no reason to take part in this recall.
Seems to me and I would like some opinions other than my own that the owners of these tractors should have the ROPS replaced whether or not they have attachments being supported by the ROPS. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[beenthere]

I received that recall. I don't have any concerns that as long as I don't hang a canopy on my ROPS that it isn't just fine. The recall notice did say that too. Fine with me. Extra 'freebies' and exchanges just drive the cost up, albeit they use steel and put people to work as a side benefit, and let more taxes be collected. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
If my ROPS isn't designed for a canopy, that is fine with me. If I had put one on, and Deere thinks a stronger one is needed, and is going the extra to put one on, that is also fine. Would have been frustrating if Deere had issued a warning that their ROPS wouldn't be covered in warranty or liability if a non-Deere canopy had been mounted or was being considered.
Seems they have been overly fair, IMO. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tanuke01]

It seems to me that JD should change all of them. If in a year or two you add a canopy you would have to pay for it,( If you remember) Or you would not have rollover protection.
I do not have a canopy, but I have requested the ROPSs be replaced. The dealer is getting it setup.

DPR

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Hey stuart, do you know any good attorneys?

 

[stuart]

Good Attorneys: NO

 

[Cheyenne]

I agree with BEENTHERE. Very few companies would have taken the step Deere has. Remember what the letter says---they will replace ROPS even if you have installed some other company's canopy. Can you imagine Ford or GM offering to replace a component because you had installed an aftermarket part to that component?
To ask for the ROPS to be replaced without cause or reason is asinine and ludicrous.

 

[stuart]

Cheyenne: What if you planned to install a sunshield on your tractor in the future? Why does a shade which weighs a few pounds cause a fracture in the ROPS metal? Is it possible it is a defective part in the ist place? If you sell the tractor to someone w/o them being notified of this inherent weakness in the ROPS and they install a shade and are injured because the ROPS fails? Are any of these good reasons to have it changed out now? Everyone is entitled to their opinion. What a great country we live in.

 

[Cheyenne]

Why does a shade which weighs a few pounds cause a fracture in the ROPS metal?
Stuart, it's not the weight of the canopy that is the problem---it's the fact that the weight is cantilevered and places tension loads on the weldment that were not in the original ROPS design. Also, those loads are not static, but dynamic because of tractor movement.
My previous post was not meant to be so abrasive.

 

[stuart]

Cheyenne: Thank you. I also did not mean to be smart asking the questions I posed. My point was that since most of these covers are very lightweight, I am suprised to see that they might damage the welds on the ROPS. The welds must already be weak and I am genuinely concerned that the person who owns my tractor after I am gone may not ever know of this problem. Better yet: I think I will just be buried along with my 4300. Best wishes and thanks for your replies.

 

[DennoAce]

I am not even affected by this recall with my little 4110 but I must say that I do not want to cost any company more money than is necissary, but on a tractor that weighs what these do...if a "sunshade" which weighs so little can cause the ROPS to be unsafe.....um than the ROPS is too weak or poorly designed.

I agree JD is doing a great thing by offering the recall in the first place under then terms mentioned (non-OEM stuff) and I applaude this.
But I would certainly call a 3000 lb+- tractor rolling sideways down a hill a "dynamic" load, so the ROPS should be able to handle dynamic or static loads from most any angle since it is possible to flip her just about in any direction.

May I aslo correct the "weak welds" idea..if a weld is correct it should be as the original metal, thus it is not the actual welds that are bad (I hope!), but the design and placement of them with the bracing, etc. that of course will favor strength towards a side-roll, not a 200lb snow load on a canopy. But, as said, if the ROPS is that close to the specs on what it can handle (in any direction)...I wouldn't trust MY life to it if given the choice!

Stuart is 100% right on this one IMO.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Cheyenne]

I think you need to get out your Physics 101 textbook. It's not about the strength of the ROPS involved in a rollover---it's all about cantilevered loads that were NOT involved in the design stress calculations. Also, weldments that have 100% penetration with no inclusions are generally not considered weak welds. What is weak (weaker than the parent metal) is the heat-affected zone surrounding the weld.
Incidentally, a 200 lb distributed snow load on a canopy would be over limits on my 4520, which is limited to a 100 lb canopy (ref page 2 of 4120, 4320, 4520, 4720 Operator's Manual).
This post is not intended to offend anyone.

 

[RayDiers]

I also received that recall. My leter said to place a supplied sticker on the rops that warned of the canopy problem and to get the rops replaced if you intend to add a canopy.

Ray

 

[Johnagain]

Stuart,
When did you recieve your recall? I have still not gotten a letter from John Deere and I just installed a canopy last night. I couldn't find anything on their website either.

 

[joecdeere]

you may not have gotten a letter because you tractor didn't fall under the serial number which was affected. If you are not sure, please call your dealer and ask to speak to the service manager!

Here's what it said and a list of the serial numbers it involved

PRODUCTS AFFECTED:

All 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, and 4700 Compact Utility Tractors (CUT’s) without Cabs

For reference, they are within the following serial number ranges:

LV4200C120001-LV4200C426650
LV4200H120002-LV4200H422668
LV4300C130002-LV4300C435554
LV4300H130002-LV4300H433137
LV4300S130002-LV4300S437200
LV4400H140004-LV4400H442224
LV4400S140005-LV4400S446400
LV4500C150001-LV4500C450087
LV4500P150001-LV4500P453965
LV4600C160002-LV4600C464068
LV4600H160003-LV4600H461133
LV4600P160004-LV4600P466335
LV4700H175001-LV4700H270931
LV4700P170001-LV4700P276239

IMPORTANT: This PIP does NOT affect:

4100 Models of the 4000 Series CUT’s

4000 Series (4200-4700) CUT’s with Cabs

4000 Ten Series (4210-4710) CUT’s

4000 Twenty Series (4120-4720) CUT’s

3000 Twenty Series (3120-3720) CUT’s


SITUATION:

If the ROPS is equipped with a canopy or sunshade assembly, which is not approved by Deere, the upright tubing could fail at the base plate. The extra weight of a canopy or sunshade increases strain on the weld between the ROPS tubing and base plate. The weld could fatigue and develop hairline cracks under the paint. These cracks may not be detected by visual observation. The overhead assembly could fall on the operator or the ROPS structure may not provide adequate rollover protection.


CORRECTION:

SOME UNAPPROVED CANOPIES OR SUNSHADE ASSEMBLIES LOOK VERY SIMILAR TO JOHN DEERE CANOPIES OR SUNSHADE ASSEMBLIES. THEREFORE, FOR ALL tractors equipped with a canopy or sunshade assembly, the dealer must replace the ROPS with a new reinforced ROPS. For tractors not equipped with a canopy or sunshade assembly, a warning label must be applied to the ROPS. Customers and Dealers will each receive a mailing that includes warning labels and instructions to install the applicable label. The mailing also requests the customer to call their dealership for the installation of a new ROPS if they have a canopy or sunshade assembly.

IMPORTANT: ROPS without an overhead assembly have adequate strength for rollover protection and do NOT require the new ROPS.

 

[Johnagain]

Thanks for clearing this recall up for me. I was just going from previous posts that all the rops were being recalled on the 4200-4700 tractors. The serial numbers you listed were a very big help and I'm glad to know that mine is not listed in the recall!

 

[pat32rf]

I got the letter a month ago and have a homemade plywood "sunshade" that is supported in the front by an angle iron frame down to the FEL towers. It also "shades"me from falling branches, rain, snow etc and makes a great platform for trimming branches or changing light bulbs in the barn. It holds my radio and cigarette lighter/power outlet, front and rear work lights. Last week we moved a 20x14foot shed roof about 200ft around a house to use it for a carport, balanced on the "sunshade" and FEL bucket. I have every confidence in the ROPS but intend to have it changed- JUST IN CASE! Pat